Benwell kept at bay despite low Alnwick scoring

A close and tense match between Alnwick and Benwell & Walbottle ended with Alnwick registering a victory by the narrow margin of 16 runs.

The fine bowling by the home side with young Jonathan Roxburgh and David Wright capturing six wickets between them for only six runs, ably backed up by Bateman, Threlfall and Scott meant that Benwell were unable to reach the small total required.

The batting of Alnwick again failed to show any consistency with five batsmen getting into and beyond the teens but unable to continue to make a large score.

Alnwick won the toss and batted first with Brewis and Ayre making a confident start but as has happened on more than one occasion in the past both were dismissed before the total had reached 50.

The remaining members were, with the exception of Graham and Wright, in difficulty against the bowling of Reed and Raza but did help their cause by some poor shot selection and the innings petered out at 115 off 41.1 overs.

Benwell were to follow the same path as Bateman with two wickets and Threlfall with one had the visitors at 30 for 3.

Reed joined professional Hasan Raza and they took the score to 50 before the introduction of Roxburgh to the attack had immediate success as he had Reed well caught at short leg by Brewis and trapped Jeavons lbw without scoring.

Raza was in fine form being particular aggressive against Scott, hitting him for three sixes and one four before he tried one big shot too many and was well caught by Bateman for 29. Roxburgh then bowled Brown and Benwell were 81 for 7 and the game in a fine position were any team could win.

Andrew Scott and David Wright bowling in tandem restricted the scoring with accurate bowling with the result the score had only moved by seven runs in 10 overs when Wright had Hall caught at the wicket and he followed this up by dismissing Rashid and Robson to give the home side victory by 16 runs and maximum points.

The match was once again sponsored by Roy and Vera Jowsey which is appreciated by all at Alnwick.

The final match of this dismal season takes place on Saturday with an away trip to Newcastle City.